For a sailor whose usual cruising ground is the Solent and its approaches, the prospect of venturing into northern waters can seem daunting. The distances are greater, the weather less predictable, and the water decidedly colder. But the rewards for those who make the effort are considerable.

This account describes a journey to the waters of the north-east coast, undertaken over several weeks in the summer months when the days are long and the weather, if not always warm, is at least reasonably settled.

The first impression on arriving in these waters is of space. Where the Solent can seem crowded on a summer weekend, here one can sail for hours without seeing another boat. The coastline is dramatic - high cliffs alternating with long sandy beaches, punctuated by the occasional harbour or river mouth.

The tides here run fast, and the navigator must pay close attention to their timing. The old pilots knew these waters intimately, and their accumulated knowledge is still relevant today. Modern charts and GPS are useful aids, but they are no substitute for understanding how the sea behaves in a particular place.

The harbours of the north-east have their own character. Many were built to serve the coal trade, and their massive stone piers speak of an industrial past now largely gone. Others are fishing ports, still active but much reduced from their heyday. All offer shelter to the cruising sailor, and most provide some facilities for visiting boats.

Would I return? Certainly. The north-east coast offers challenges and rewards that the crowded waters of the south cannot match. For the dinghy cruiser willing to venture beyond familiar territory, it is well worth exploring.